What is the matter with my car?

[Bek1977]

I have a 1.1 pug 206 petrol, 40,000 miles. It is just turned 3 years old and passed its test last week no probs. 3 days ago i noticed slimy water on the drive, this had come from the front drivers side. I ignored this. Today i can hear running water from the front end when i turn a corner or slow down. I opened the bonet, There is a square metal thing near the front grill and it is wet. Any ideas what this is or how much it may cost to fix? Please exchuse my lack of mechanical expertise!

[TWR]

Fisrt WHEN COLD check your cooling system, 2nd your washer bottle, 3rd look inside the engine bay when the engine is running & see if there is a leak coming from the water pump or a hose that is leaking or check under the front of the car BUT MAKE SURE THE CAR IS IN NUTRAL OR (P) if as you have said you have no mech knowlege ask a friend before someone rips you off.

[TonyBeeeee]

Bek is the square metal thing the radiator?

Maybe a couple of inches thick, a couple of feet wide and about 18 inches deep? With some big rubber hoses going to it from the engine?

These are often a weak link in the cooling system and whilst it will not be especially cheap it would not cost the earth to replace (guessing �50 for the rad, free to replace if you have a buddy who is any good with cars!). Or places like your local small garage, or Kwik Fit (altho I hesitate to suggest places like the latter, they tend to rip off people who don't know much about cars).

Keep the expansion tank topped up before you drive it, dont go far, watch the temperatue guage if you do drive it